Since we offer social media guidance through 2 Rivers Communications & Design, I often receive emails or phone calls from authors who are new to the marketing game and are confused about how to best use Facebook and Twitter — or if they should bother at all.
I’m always looking for new studies or discussions about what works (in terms of book sales and promotion) and what doesn’t so I can share that information with other authors. The best advice I’ve seen so far is to pick a couple of social media sites that you feel most comfortable with, familiarize yourself with them, and use them consistently. You don’t have to do it all.
A lot of blog posts and articles on social media use for authors are rehash — you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all. But this morning I came across this article by Guy Kawasaki at MediaShift that warrants a read, in my opinion. The author had me right away at #1, because one of the most common questions I get from new authors is, “Why should I have a website (Facebook page, Twitter account, etc.) if my book isn’t out yet?”
I love it when I find an article that teaches me something new, and Guy did that with #4: I didn’t know about Alltop.com until I read this piece. Yay! File that under “great resource.”
Guy’s #12 was an eye-opener for me too, although it shouldn’t have been. It makes sense to repeat tweets so that most people who have an interest in your topic will get a chance to see them (and follow you). And if you have any doubt about this guy’s strategies, check out his numbers: 3,821,000 million Google+ followers, 286,000 Facebook subscribers, and 1,240,000 Twitter followers.
Read Guy Kawasaki’s 10 Social Media Tips for Authors at MediaShift for some more helpful tips.
NOTE: Read Guy’s Tip #7 to see why I went back and took the time to add a photo to this post. But do remember to only use pictures you have permission to use. I purchased the right to use the above image without attribution at www.freedigitalphotos.net.
For St. Louis area readers only: I’ll be presenting a marketing seminar on Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter for authors at All on the Same Page Bookstore on Monday, March 4th, at 5:00 p.m. Registration is required (but you can register at the door). Contact All on the Same Page for more info. Would love to see you there!
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While many authors still dream of finding a traditional publisher, others are ready to take the reins in their own hands. The St. Louis Publishers Association provides support and resources to help these authors, as well as to help authors of any stripe learn to market their work. True self- or indie-publishing is not for everyone, however. New authors can be overwhelmed by the learning curve required to successfully publish on their own. Several St. Louis businesses have formed in recent years to provide these authors with one-stop shopping for the services they need to produce a professional-looking book.
